Donald Thomas Don McKee, 83, of Ada, Okla., passed away Oct. 10, 2017, at a hospice in Oklahoma City. Services are Oct. 13 at the Criswell Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Jerry Wells officiating. Internment will be held at Highland Cemetery in Stonewall, Okla., and the Chickasaw Honor Guard will conduct military honors.
Mr. McKee was born May 4, 1934, in Seminole, Okla., to Cader F. McKee and Hazel Beatrice Byrd McKee. He was the great-grandson of original Dawes enrollee Tandy C. Walker.
A God-fearing man, he accepted Christ as his personal savior as a young boy. At 17, he enrolled at Southeastern State Teachers College (currently Southeastern Oklahoma State University) and joined the Army Active Reserves immediately prior to his 1955 graduation. For almost two years he served as an aircraft mechanic at Simmons Army Air Field at Fort Bragg, NC, and Camp Gary AFB at San Marcos, Texas.
Having met Rose Mary Hammer of Honobia, Okla., Dec. 29, 1957, Mr. McKee proposed on their third date. Years later he joked, I dont know why I waited so long! The two married in August 1958.
Despite economic downturns early in their marriage, Mr. McKee persevered to meet the needs of his growing family.
Active in the church throughout his life he served as a deacon and Sunday school teacher. He helped establish a ladies church softball league in Dallas and coached championship teams on which his wife played. He instilled in his children a love for God and an active interest in sports.
In 1997 Mr. and Mrs. McKee returned to Honobia following his retirement from the Environmental Protection Agency. Working together they helped build the current Honobia First Baptist Church.
Recently he and his wife celebrated their 59th wedding anniversary.
Mr. McKee is survived by his loving wife Rose Mary; their son, Mike McKee and wife Cynthia of Pontotoc, Okla.; their daughter, Donna Carlton and husband, William Carlton, Jr., of Southern California; his brother William F. McKee and sister Ruth Ann McKee, both of Ada; and three grandchildren: Heaven Ann McKee, Mary Zoe McKee, and Ronnie Michael Hontubby McKee.
Bearers are Hunter Rose, Bryson Tuck, John Clawson, Stephen Kinsey and Bradley Carlton.
At the request of the family, those who wish may make memorials to the Honobia First Baptist Church, HC 68 Box 405, Honobia, OK 74549.
Criswell Funeral Home, Ada
